Mesa, Eagles open tonight

Barry Faulkner

Coaching an Estancia High boys basketball team that followed a

nine-game winning streak with a three-game losing skein, Chris Sorce

knows a little something about rhythm. But that knowledge, he

believes, is nullified by a whimsical schedule that goes along with

competing in the Golden West League, which tips off tonight.

Estancia (10-4), plays the first of its three league games in five

days tonight at 7 at Westminster. The Eagles then take the next 14

days to play their next three league games, concluding the first

round Jan. 24 at league title favorite Ocean View.

“I haven’t played a game in it yet, but I’m not a fan,” Sorce said

of the seven-team format, in which one team endures a bye each night

the other six league teams square off against one another. “It’s so

funky. I just don’t see any rhythm to it. The only positive I see in

a seven-team league is that the top four teams go to the playoffs

(one more than those who automatically advance from six-team

circuits).”

The Eagles are projected to be one of those four automatic

qualifiers, expected to finish anywhere from second to fourth.

Ocean View, which visits Costa Mesa in the Mustangs’ Golden West

debut tonight at 7, is the clear-cut favorite. The Seahawks (11-3)

are ranked No. 4 in Orange County, though they have not played since

Dec. 21.

Estancia, Santa Ana and Orange, not necessarily in that order, are

expected to lead the chase pack, with Costa Mesa, Saddleback and

Westminster hoping to surprise and break into the upper echelon.

Costa Mesa (4-9) hopes playing tough preleague slate has helped

its young lineup get a varsity crash course.

Estancia did catch a break from the schedule maker in opening with

Westminster, coached by former CdM High girls head man Elbert Davis,

and Saddleback (Wednesday), before hosting Santa Ana Friday. The

Eagles figure to be 2-0, heading into Friday’s early crucial.

“We’re excited to get into league,” said Sorce, who hopes his

Eagles don’t get ahead of themselves and forget to bring their peak

performance to the first two games this week.

The Eagles are led by 6-foot-8 senior center Joey Lindquist and

6-4 sophomore forward Carlos Pinto, along with senior guards Zack

Novak and Matt Cachola.

Lindquist is averaging 12.9 points and around 10 rebounds, while

Pinto, a two-year varsity veteran, is averaging 13.9 ppg.

Cachola, who along with Lindquist was an all-tournament performer

in the post-Christmas Coast Classic,chips in 7.5 ppg, while Novak

(7.1 ppg) is also a catalyst.

Costa Mesahas been keyed by senior Danny Krikorian.

The fourth-year varsity performer is averaging 17.3 points and 41

three-pointers.

Mesa’s talented youngsters include freshman point guard Brian

Molina (5.8 ppg), freshman Scott Knox (5.2 ppg) and sophomore Jeff

Waldron (4.0 ppg). Marko Stankovic, a 6-6 junior, chips in 5.9 ppg.